To mark the time, money and effort which has been invested in the building, the Friends of the Athenium and Junee Shire Council are hosting an official opening event on Friday, August 29.

Since being declared historic, there's plenty that has changed, including refurbishment to bring it to standard.

Friends of the Athenium secretary Barbara Manwaring said fund-raising was continuing to help this move forward.

Ahead of the opening, a proscenium - produced with the help from the Heffernan family in honour of their grandfather Ben Cummins who helped the build the theatre - will be mounted.

It will complement the $30,000 curtain, which has been donated by a previously anonymous donor Professor Ross Thorpe.

Mrs Manwaring said Prof Thorpe originally made the determination that the building had historic value.

Part of that historic value lies in a performance of Rio Rita in 1929, which featured opera singer Gladys Moncrief - who travelled by train from Narrandera before heading to Young on tour. To celebrate the opening, the Kapooka Army Band will be performing before a supper is served.

Further details of the event are available by contacting Junee Shire Council.